Fluid-controlled pump regulating valve



' Sept. 5, 1939. T. E. EAGLEBARGER FLUID CONTROLLED PUMP REGULATING VALVE Filed June 4, 1938 1n venior ZZfi'agk 71mg Attorneys Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES 2.172422 FLUID-CONTROLLED PUMP REGULATING VALVE Theo E. Eaglebarger, Jefferson, Tex. 7

Application June 4, 1938, Serial No. 211,940

2 Claims.

This invention relates to oil well pumps and has reference in particular to an automatically operable float controlled valve so designed and arranged as to more effectively and successfully regulate the displacement of oil from the oil bearing sands to the surface for storage or other disposition. A general consideration of the status of the field of invention here under consideration will reveal considerable activity involving the use of many different types of structures and devices to promote substantially constant performance of the well when the pumps are operating, So-called flow tubes and pipes have been submerged and float control valves utilized in the hope of effectively regulating the out-put of oil. It is well known, however, that various contingencies exist in different formations such as apparently demand the use of these diversified regulating and control devices.

From my own observation I have discovered that in many different types of wells, there is considerable accumulation of salt water and this I find, tends to interfere with unretarded flow of oil from the underlying or surrounding oil hear ing sands. Thus, in order to obtain the maximum production of oil, it is deemed advisable to keep the well pump constantly running and to accom-' plish this with a pump controlling valved pipe line susceptible of placement in the well at predetermined levels.

It follows that the present invention has to do with a valved insert or conduit wherein the valve is fluid regulated through the instrumentality of a coacting float, the valve being so arranged as to vent the conduit and temporarily relieve the suction pull on the fluid column if and when the fluid recedes below a predetermined level.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the accompanying illustrative drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view through the float chamber.

Figure 2 is, a fragmentary sectional view showing the venting elbow on the suction pipe with which the valve, shown in dotted lines, coacts.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Reference is first made to the general assembly depicted in Figure 2. Here the tubing is denoted at l and a reducing coupling 8 serves to attach to the lower end thereof a pipe length whose major portion 9 constitutes what may be conveniently called the valve and float chamber. There is a partition Ill removably fastened in the upper part of the chamber and a companion partition" ll similarly fastened in the lower portion thereof. These partitions define between themselves the so-called float chamber. Manifestly, they are provided with ports or apertures l2 to permit intake and discharge of the fluid, The centrally disposed pipe unit i3 is arranged in the tubing 9, the same passing at its lower end through and .10 beyond the partition or disk H and passing at its 'upper'end through and above the disk I ll where it is threaded into the bore Id of the reducingv coupling 8. The float is of proper proportions and buoyancy and distinguished by the numeral I5, being mounted for reciprocation in the tubing 9 and surrounding and sliding on the valved suction pipe'l3.

Communicating with and branching out from one side of the suction pipe [3 is a venting or air inlet elbow l5. The terminal of this is fashioned to provide a concaved centrally apertured valve seat l6 for the conical valve head ll. The valve stem, carrying the valve head and indicated at I 8, works through an appropriate guide I9 disposed in parallelism above the elbow. The valve stem is attached to and operated through the instrumentality of a rocker frame 20. The frame may be of any appropriate construction. It is here shown as of annular form and composed of sections as denoted in Figure 4. It surrounds concentrically the pipe I3 and is fulcrumed or pivoted on the diametrically opposite journal pins 2| as shown to advantage in Figure 3. As a matter of convenience of assembling and attaching of parts, the frame is provided with diametrically opposite screw threaded studs 22 and 23. The valve stem l8 has an eye 24 connected with the stud 22 and loosely held in place by a retaining nut 25. There is a similar connection on the opposite side. That is to say, the float rod 26 is provided with an eye 21 detachably secured to the stud 23 and loosely held in place by a nut 28. The lower laterally directed eye 29 on the operating rod 26 is attached to the top of the reciproeating float l5, Thus, the float, valve and valve operating mechanism is confined in the chamber defined between the partitions II and III.

In operation it is obvious that so long as the chamber 9 is charged with well fluid entering the 5 same from beneath, the float is maintained in its elevated position. When in this position it serves to rock the frame 20 in a manner to maintain the valve I! closed. Consequently, the suction through the pipe line [3 leading into the tubing 1 serves to counteract sand hindrance.

is unbroken. Now when the fluid recedes below what may be called an abnormal point, the float rides down, rocks the frame 20 and opens the valve. When the valve is open, air is admitted through the ports to temporarily break the suction and stop the pump (not shown).

It is of course, understood that as soon as the fluid column builds up again to a position to react on the float, the valve is closed and the pump starts operating to continuously expel the fluid. Thus, even though salt water be present in the bottom of the well, it will be continuously drawn 01f by the pump action, whereby to allow free entry of oil.

Those familiar with the variable conditions in the periodical lack of free oil flow in wells, are aware that this is due largely to incoming sand materially interfering with successful oil intake action. With the present device it has been discovered that by relieving the congestion and constantly maintaining enough oil in the well, it Thus, it is believed that constancy of flow may be expected under reasonable circumstances.

The weight of the valve l1 and float I5 is so designed and counterbalanced so that approximately two-thirds of the weight of the float I5 is utilized to raise and maintain open the valve l1. Under this arrangement the force and effect of vacuum contributes when the pump is operating and thus helps to keep the valve l1 closed. Moreover, when the valve I! does open and breaks the suction, it will require a rise of approximately three inches of fluid to elevate or raise the float i5 and to then again close the valve II. This is perhaps important, as it will stop the pump, it is believed, from cutting oil. In the fields, it is assumed that cut oil is caused by the'pump piston striking oil when the cylinder is not full. This field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

, I claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, a tubular housing provided with coupling means and air intake ports, apertured partitions mounted at longitudinally spaced points in said housing, a relatively small open ended suction pipe supported in said partitions, valved venting means on said pipe,

:a float slidably mounted in said tubular housing and surrounding the pipe and disposed below said venting valve. and an operating connection between the float and venting valve.

2. Ina device of the class described, a tubular ported float and valve housing having coupling means for connection with a well tubing, a suction controlling and flow regulating pipe supported in said housing and adapted for communication with the well tubing, an elbow connected at one end to andin communication with said pipe and having a valve seat on its outer end; a valve engageable with said seat, a frame mounted on said pipe for pivotal motion, said valve being operatively attached to said frame, a float mounted for sliding in said housing and surrounding the pipeat a pcintbelow the elbow, and an operating connection between the frame and float.

THEO E. EAGLEBARGER. 

